Automatic applicator for liquid shoe polishes and the like



liec. 23, 1941. G; A, BROWN 2,267,075

AUTOMATIC APPLICATOR FOR LIQUID SHOE POLISHEYAND THE LIKE Filed July 16,1940 INVENTOR Gin/P05 ,4. B/mrv/v ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 23, 1941AUTOMATIC APPLICATOR FOR LIQUID POLISHES AND THE LIKE SHOE George A.Brown, Roselle, N. J.

Application July 16, 1940, Serial No. 345,781 I 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic applicators and moreparticularly to applicators for liquid polishes and dressings for shoesand the like in which the fluid flow from a reservoir is controlledautomatically.

An object of the invention is to. provide a simple device for theintended purposes which may be quickly and cheaply manufactured forlarge scale consumption.

Another object of this invention is the provision of an applicator whichis adapted for applying liquid polish or dressing to the desiredportions of shoes or the like of the multi-color type without smearingor overlapping other portions of the shoe requiring polish or dressingof another shade or type.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device having a noveltype of guard which in one position of use serves to protect the fingersof a user and in another protects the applicator portion of the deviceand permits the latter to be carried safely in a pocket, bag or pursewithout any possibility of soiling the contents of such pocket, bag orpurse.

Still another object is the provision of such construction of the guardas to minimize the possibility of its being lost.

The device is equipped with a reservoir membar or barrelfa removableso-called suction cup unit closing the member 01' barrel and a guardmember. It is a further object of this invention to provide improvedconstruction of the suction cup unit so as to minimize danger of itsaccidental separation from the reservoir with consequent spillage of thereservoir contents.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a novel type ofstand for the device which serves to retain the device during idleperiods, but keeps the device always ready for instant use.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and suchother objects as mayhereinafter appear, this invention consists in the novel constructionand arrangement of parts hereinafter described, and then sought to bedefined in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawing forming a part hereof and which shows, merely for the purposesof illustrative disclosure, preferred embodiments of the invention, itbeing expressly understood, however, that various changes may be made inpractice within the scope of the appended claims without digressing fromthe inventive idea.

In the drawing, in which similar reference characters denotecorresponding parts;

of one form of my device with parts separated for Fig. 4 is aperspective view of a modified form I of suction cup unit with a spongerubber applicator member of different form.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a further modified form of sponge rubberapplicator which may be used with my device.

Fig. 6 is a-partial sectional elevation similar to Fr. 1 showing amodified form of guard as apled to the device. a

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further modified form ofguard member. v

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of an applicator of the form shown in Fig.1 as carried in a desk stand member which latter is shown in verticalsection, and

Fig. 9 is a partial sectional view of a modified form of suction cupunit applicable particularly to the neck of a bottle.

Referring now to the drawing, l0 denotes a reservoir tube or barreladapted to contain black or colored lotions, liquid wax dressings, whiteshoe dressings, or other types of liquid polishes or dressings. Thistube is preferably of some unbreakable plastic composition of any of thecommercially available types and preferably is. both transparent andcolorless so that the user may ascertain the color and amount of thecontents at a glance, or it may be tinted corresponding to the color ofthe dressing or polish intended to be used therein.

One end ll of this reservoir is. permanently closed. The other end I2 isopen and provided with an annular outwardly extending bead or flange l3,formed in the present embodiment by bending or rolling the rim of thetube back upon itself as shown.

stem member 2| of resilient material such as rubber or the like havingcork-like external form and adapted to fit into the mouth H of thereservoir in sealing relationship. An annular Fig. l is an elevationalview partially in section integral bead or flange 22 is provided at therear edge of this stem member. This bead 22 is resilient and deformableand so admeasured as to yield during insertion of the stem 2| in thebarrel opening. The stem member has suflicient axial length to permitthe bead or flange 22 to ride past the depression or groove l4 in thereservoir upon insertion and to lock behind the shoulder l5 formed bysaid groove. As a result impositive engagement of the bead or flange 22and the shoulder l5 occurs after insertion of the stem into theopening12. Thus the suction cup unit 20 as a whole will be effectivelyprevented from sliding out of the reservoir barrel during use. Theflange thus serves as impositive means for preventing accidentaluncorking of the reservoir during normal usage and is more efllcientthan a simple frictional engagement between the stem'and reservoirwalls. Being of resilientmaterial, however, the stem with its flange maybe withdrawn from the reservoir for replenishing the fluid containedtherein.

Rearwardly the hollow stem member has a wall or partition 23 completelyclosing the end thereof. This partition is provided with two spacedtapered bores 24 terminating in capillary holes 24' for a purpose to bepresently described.

integrally formed with the stem member 2|, 0: the same material, andattached to its forward end is a suction cup member 25. This member hastapered end walls 26 flaring outwardly from the stem as shown in Fig. 1and straight side walls 21 as shown in Fig. 2 extending parallel to thestem forming thus a suction cup which in the section shown inFig. 1 hastrapezoidal form and in the section shown in Fig. 2 (taken at rightangles to that of Fig. 1) has rectangular form. The suction cup member25 is so located and formed on the hollow stem as to leave a cylindricalspace 21' between its inner base 28 and the partition 23. A shoulder 29is provided externally at the junction of the stem 2! and cup member 25.This shoulder is adapted to abut the bead l3 of the reservoir when thestem is in its finally inserted position on the reservoir, the length ofstem between shoulder 29 and flange 22 being admeasured to permit therequired engagement of the latter behind the shoulder l5.

An applicator 35 of sponge rubber or other suitable applicator materialis adapted tobe carried by the suction cup member. This applicator inthe form shown in Figs. 1 and 3 is a square rectangular parallelepipedof the required material. It is mounted in the suction cup member insuch manner that its square faces 36 are parallel with the straight sidewalls 21 and two of its opposite corner edges 31 and 3'! lie in theplane of the central longitudinal axis AA of the suction cup member andextend perpendicular to said axis. Thus mounted, the side faces 38 and39 of the applicator directly adjacent the corner edge 31 extendoppositely at angles approximately of 45 with the said longitudinal axisAA and the side faces 40 and 4| extend substantially parallel to thetapered end walls 25 of the suction cup. The inner corner edge 31'extends slightly into the cylindrical space 21' without touching thepartition 23. The two remaining corner edges 42 and 43 are entirelyclear of the outer edges 25' of the suction cup member so that in use aswill be presently described, either one of the side faces 38 or 39 maybe used to apply polish without causing contact between the shoe surfaceand the edges 25'. This applicator is permanently attached to member 25by suitable cement or any other desirable manner.

A propeller.member 50 comprising a piece of 5 wire of copper or othernon-corrosive material having parallel legs 50' and 50' is strung orlooped through the applicator at 5|. The legs extend from the applicator35 through the chamber 21', the tapered bores 24 and the capillaryopenings 24' in the partition 23 and are looped together or bent towardseach other at 52 to prevent withdrawal after mounting.

The diameters of the capillary holes 24' are only slightly in excess ofthe wire diameters. Thus the space between the wire legs and thecapillary openings 24' is made just sufllcient so that the fluid in thereservoir will not leak out due to the resistance set up by capillaryattraction of the liquid around the small space. This prevents liquid Lfrom leaking out through the holes and the applicator 35. The taperedbores 24 have maximum diameters sufliciently admeasured to facilitateinsertion of the legs 50' and 50 during the assembly of the device.

A guard member 50 is carried on the barrel. This guard member is cup orbell-shaped as shown and has an opening 6| at its closed end of adiameter. sufficient to permit frictional sliding movement of the memberlongitudinally on the outside of the barrel Ill. The cup or bell memberhas sumcient depth and diameter to surround completely the suction cupunit 20 when the bell is located at the mouth end of the reservoir withthe bead l3 engaging the inner wall of the bell member around theopening 6|.

The bell member mouth 52 is adapted to be closed by a removable cap 55.This cap may have suitable bayonet slots 56 in its side walls serving toengage bayonet pins 61 carried on the bell member. With the cap inplace, the suction cup unit 20 is completely enclosed by it and theguard member and permits the entire device to be carried in a pocket,purse or handbag without danger of soiling by the reservoir contents orfluid on the applicator.

In use the cap is removed and the guard member 50 slid back on thereservoir tube to the dotted position shown in Fig. 1 to expose theapplicator and the suction cup. In this position, the guard memberhaving substantially larger dimensions than the reservoir serves as aprotective apron to prevent contact of the users fingers with theapplicator or shoes and thus prevents soiling.

A convenient clip 10 carried on the reservoir tube serves to facilitatecarrying of the device in the pocket in the manner of a fountain pen.

The guard member may have the modified construction shown in Fig. 6.Therein the end of guard member 60' is externally threaded at H. Theremovable cap member 65' is internally threaded at 12 and may be removedor applied by screwing onto the threaded portion H.

A further alternative construction of the guard member is shown in Fig.7. Herein guard member 60 is provided with an annular groove ordepression 13. The cap member is provided with internal lugs orprojections I4 which snap into the groove I3 when the cap is forced overthe mouth opening of the guard. The engagement is sufllcientlyimpositive to permit removal of the cap during use of the device.

Guard members 60, 60' and B0 and the caps a 65, 65' and 65 may be madeof the same material as that of the reservoir tube 2 or of metalcompress the applicator.

such as aluminum or oi any other suitable material.

The applicator members, too, may have different form from that shown inFigs. 1, 2 and 3. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the applicator 35 maybe in the form of a rectangular parallelopiped inserted into a suctioncup 25 in such manner that the applicator surface 68 is perpendicular tothe longitudinaal axis of the suction cup unit 20'. In such event theshape of the suction cup portion 25 of the suction cup unit is modifiedto receive the changed form of applicator. The stem 2| and internalstructure of the suction cup unit remain otherwise the same.

A further modified form of applicator 35 is shown in Fig. 5. Thisapplicator is shown as cylindrical in form and is attached in a suitablyshaped suction cup member 25 wits its longitudinal axis perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of the suction cup unit 20 The curved outersurface of this applicator is used to apply the polish or dressing. Theother internal structure of the suction cup unit is substantially thesame as of the others.

The operation of the device is as follows:

After the user has completed the polishing operations, the guard isagain slid over the suction cup unit and the cap 85 replaced. It may nowsafely be placed in a purse or clipped in the pocket by the clip I readyfor further future use. Since the guard and cap completely enclose themoist applicator, no dangers of soiling of the pocket or purse arepresent.

Assuming the reservoir H] to be filled with polishing fiuid L and thesuction cup unit 20 in place as shown in Fig. l, the cap 65 is removedfrom the guard 60 as shown and the latter slid backward along thereservoir tube ID to dotted .position to unsheath the applicator sponge35.

The user thentilts the reservoir barrel to an angle of about with thehorizontal so that one of the applicator surfaces 38 or 39 issubstantially horizontal. -He presses this surface onto the shoe surfaceto be polished with a pumping motion, serving momentarily to partiallySuch pumping action causes the legs of the propeller to move inwardlydislodging any sediment or encrustation about the capillary openings 24.At the same time air from the chamber 21' is forced through thecapillary openings into the reservoir building up a slight back pressureat the end ll of the reservoir. This back pressure forces liquid outthrough the openings 24' and into the applicator 35 where it isabsorbed, moistening the latter. After a few pumping motions theapplicator becomes sufficiently moistened with liquid from the reservoirto commence application thereof to the surface of the shoe. Thisapplication to the surface may be by a brushing or rotary motion of thesurface 38 or 39 of the moistened applicator on the shoe. Since theoutline of the fiat surfaces 38 and 39 have sharply definedstraightedges because 'of the parallelopiped shape of the saidapplicator 35, the latter is capable of applying polishes neatly todefinitely defined shoe areas which may differ in color from othersadjacent. The 45 tilt of the applicator during use makes it convenientto manipulate the device since it may be held between the fingers in themanner of a pencil. Also, since the guard member remains on thereservoir tube below the finger grasping point, the fingers areprotected from being smeared with polishfrom the moist applicator 35. Ifthe reservoir becomes empty, the suction cup stem 2| is removed from thereservoir ill, the latter refilled and the stem replaced as describedand shown in Fig. l. The impositive engagement of the fiange 22 behindthe shoulder l5 prevents dislodgement of the suction cup unit during themotion of the device during application of polish.

It is understood, of course, that if the applicators 35' or 35 are usedinstead of applicator 35, the holding angle of the device in use willdiffer from 45, being substantially to the horizontal if the applicator35 is used and any desired angle if that of Fig. 5 is used. It isessential, too, that the applicator present at least one sharply definededge like the edges of the faces 38 and 33 or the sharp edges of thesurface 68 or the edges 59 of the applicator 35, so that such sharpedges can be used along the bordering lines of one of the multi-color'edareas of shoes being polished. The form of applicator 35. shown in Figs.1-3 has been found,particularly effective and convenient for use. Theedges of the surfaces 38 and 39 are all sharply defined permittingsharply defined polishing. The corner edges 42 and 43 too are clear ofthe outer end 25' of the suction cup. Thus the suction cup itself doesnot interfere with brushing or rotating applicatory motion during useand eliminates streaks in the surface being polished. Also, theconvenient holding angle of 45- for the device as a whole makes it easyand quick to use.

The guard 60 normally remains upon the reservoir tube at all times. Itsremoval over the open end of the reservoir is prevented by the bead l3while the clip 70 prevents its complete removal from the closed end ofthe tube. There -is thus no likelihoodof its being lost or misplaced.The cap 35 is the only part completely separated from the device as awhole. Since this is normally only removed temporarily during use, thereis little danger of loss. The guard member and cap thus provide aneffective safety feature which eliminate danger of soiling at all times.

In the event that the device is not required to be carried, the guard 60and cap 65 may be eliminated and a suitable desk or bureau standsubstituted. Such a stand 90 is shown in Fig. 8.

This stand or base 90 composed of any suitable material for examplePolystrene molding material or other suitable plastic material, metal orthe like comprises a well member 9| closed at its bottom 9| and open atits top 9|. A conical annular flange 93 integrally formed with said wellmember extends downwardly and outwardly from the top edge of the well.The lower outer edge 93 of the flange terminates at substantially thesame level as the bottom 9| of the well and with it forms the base ofthe stand. The maximum diameter at the lower edge 93 is sufiicient toprovide a low center of gravity for the base as a whole and to preventtilting of the base when a complete device including its reservoir tubeI0 are carried in the well. The depth and diameter of the well itselfare so admeasured as to receive the entire suction cup unit 20 thereinas shown in such manner that when inserted and released the reservoirtube rests against upper edge 9| of the well directly. above the bead I3while the applicator 35 rests both against the bottom 9| of the well andpresses slightly against the side wall 9| of the well. Sufficientwedging exists in the position shown to prevent the device from fallingout of the stand. Since the applicator 35 is near the bottom of thecomparatively deep well, it retains its moisture content over a longerperiod of time than if exposed and is ready for instant use without muchor any pumping action ordinarily necessary if the device is left exposedon a desk or table rather than in the stand. The stand thus not only isa convenience for desk or bureau use but has the added function ofkeeping the applicator moist during non-use by preventing rapidevaporation of dressing or polishing fluid thereon.

For those users who prefer a larger reservoir than that afforded by thetube I0, I provide a suction cup unit I20 embodying principles of thisinvention which may be applied directly to the bottle containingpolishing fluids. This modiflcation is shown in Fig. 9. Herein, Idenotes a bottle provided with usual opening IOI and neck I02. Thesuction cup unit I20 adapted for insertion in the bottle neck in placeof the usual stopper has a construction substantially similar to that ofsuction cup unit 20. It comprises a hollow stern member I2I of similarmaterial having cork-like form and adapted to flt into the opening IOIand neck I02 of the bottle in sealing relationship. An annular bead orflange I22 is provided adjacent the rear edge of this stem member. Thisbead, which is resilient and deformable, is so admeasured as to yieldduring insertion of the stem into the neck I02. The stem member I H hassuiflcient axial length to permit the bead or flange I22 to engage thebottle internally at the shoulder I03 formed at the junction of the neckand bottle proper. The

' purpose of this engagement is similar to that of the bead 22 andpositively prevents dislodgment of the suction cup unit from thereservoir bottle during use. The suction cup member I25 integrallyformed with or attached to the stem member I2I is similar in form tosuction cup member 25 or has the different shape shown to receive thesponge rubber applicator 35. All other internal parts of the stem andthe propeller member 50 are arranged as in the suction cup unit 20 andoperate in the same way. The same type of applicator 35 as that shown inFig. 1 may be used or one of the other forms shown in Figs. 4 and 5 orthe like may be used. This particular type of suction cup unit isconveniently applicable tocommercial bottles of polish or dressing andoperates on the same principles as that applied to the reservoir tubeIll.

The device may be used to apply liquids other than polishes or dressingsto surfaces.

It is to be understood, of course, that various modifications in formand structure may be made without departing from the spirit of myinvention. I do not therefore wish to be limited to the exact detailsshown and described.

What I claim is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a reservoir having amouthed opening, an internally projecting shoulder in said reservoir adacent said opening but at a point other than said opening, closure meansadapted to be inserted into said opening and comprising a stem memberwhose length is greater than the distance of said shoulder from saidopening, a suction cup member, an applicator member supported by saidsuction cup member, and a latsaid opening, a suction cup unit comprisinga stem member adapted to be inserted in said opening, said stem memberhaving a length greater than the distance from said shoulder to saidopening, an applicator associated with said unit, and means on said stemmember adapted to engage impositively with said shoulder of saidreservoir to prevent accidental dislodgment of said unit from saidreservoir during use of said device.

3. A device of the character described comprising a fluid reservoirhaving a mouth opening, an integral shoulder adjacent to said mouthopening but at a point other than said opening, and means carried bysaid reservoir for applying fluid therefrom to receiving surfaces, saidmeans comprising a tubular stem inserted into said mouth opening, aflange member on said stem for impositively engaging with said shoulderin said reservoir to prevent accidental dislodgment of said stem fromsaid reservoir, a suction cup member attached to said stem and anapplicator carried in said suction cup member, said applicator beingperforate and resilient and having applying surfaces with sharplydefined edges whereby fluid fed from said reservoir to said applicatormay be applied to surfaces having limited outlines adjacent said limitedoutlines without overlapping the latter, and means for automaticallyfeeding fluid from said reservoir to said applicator.

4. A device of the character described comprising a fluid reservoir andmeans carried thereby for applying fluid therefrom to receiving surfaceshaving limited outlines, said means comprising a suction cup unitincluding a hollow stem member having cork like external form andprovided with an annular bead at its end for impositive engagement withsaid reservoir, a suction cup member integral with said stem member,said suction cup member having tapering end walls flaring from the stemand straight side walls forming a suction cup which in one cross sectionhas substantially trapezoidal form and in a second cross section hassubstantially rectangular form, a resilient applicator member havingsubstantially parallelepiped form mounted in said suction cup member sothat faces thereof extend parallel to the said end and side walls ofsaid suction cup member and other faces of said applicator extendoppositely at angles with the longitudinal axis of the said suction cupmember and externally thereof rre senting sharply defined faces for theapplication of fluid from the reservoir to said receiving surfaces oflimited outline, and means in said unit for providing fluid to saidapplicator from said reservoir through said unit.

GEORGE A. BROWN.

